By Dennis Udoma, Senior Correspondent, Uyo
Brien Holden Institute, an International Non – Governmental Organization (NGO) has helped about 2,500 children in Akwa Ibom with free eye glass this year.
The Institute Sub-Regional Manager (West Africa), Dr Anne Ebri made this known at this year’s World Sight Day, organised by Seeing Is Believing; a Comprehensive Child Eye Health Project in Uyo on Thursday.
The event titled, ‘‘Vision First’’ was at the instance of children with impaired vision, while others undergone surgery.
Dr Ebri noted that, government has enormous role to play in enhancing children’s vision, to boost their academic performance since there is no child without visibility problem.
She further said that, to eliminate poor academic performance, government and relevant authorities have to screen eye status in children, to reduce cases of poor academic performances by children allegedly attributed to impaired vision.
“In 2017, we started children eye health project, and it cut across Akwa Ibom and Cross River states. We were looking at half a million children for eye screening and we have achieved that, as Akwa Ibom alone contributed over 250,000.
“We created health education to staff of primary health care, while teachers that are in schools were trained to screened students. From these two areas, we have been able to identify children with significant eye problem.
“Free medical treatments have been given to over 21,000 children as a result of this project, and in Akwa Ibom, over 2,500 children have received eye glasses and more children are expected to be given glasses and some have left to acquire free surgery, she stated.
also, Desk Officer, Seen Is Believing and Comprehensive Child Eye Health Project, Ministry of Health in the State, Dr. Eyitu Isong commended the state government for supporting the project explaining that, Comprehensive Child Eye Health Project in 2017, had assisted 221 primary health centers with healthcare information and children regain their sight.
Chief Executive Officer of Albino Foundation, Abuja Mr Jake Egbele appealed to the state government for concerted effort with Brien Holden Vision Institute to end eye challenges among the children.
He called on the public to stop discrimination of people with albinism.
